Are Breast Implants Safer Than Fat Transfer for Breasts?

Are Breast implants really safe? I'm 44 and always wanted larger breasts, especially after breast feeding two children (I lost what volume I had). I'm torn about having implants however.So many women say they have become ill from them and my grandmother had an autoimmune disease thus I may have a genetic predisposition for such, thus I worry whether I should have the implants or try the Fat transfer augmentation method.

Doctor Answers 18

A fat transfer is a wonderful option to create
volume in other areas of the body such as the gluteal area, cheeks, and
lips.However, re-using fat in certain areas of the body, particularly in the
breasts, is controversial, as it can result in the formation of calcifications
and may interfere with mammography in the future.

Breast augmentation is performed most safely and
reliably with the use of implants.As
one of the most commonly performed and extensively researched cosmetic
procedures, numerous studies based on a wide body of data has led the FDA to
declare that breast implants are generally
safe when implemented properly.Furthermore, while your concerns regarding autoimmune disorders are
legitimate, there is no evidence to suggest that implants can cause this
disorder.Far less research exists on the safety and
reliability of breast enhancement via the use of a fat transfer.

As
with any surgical procedure, a full medical history and comprehensive exam with
a board-certified doctor is needed to provide you with the information necessary to make and educated
decision on how to achieve your ideal breast shape and size
in optimal safety and comfort.Your
concerns regarding both the risks and benefits of breast augmentation is best
addressed by setting up a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon
in your area with extensive experience and expertise with breast enhancement
procedures.

Still considered safer due to more extensive research

October 22nd, 2014

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Fat transfer may be natural and sound like a good idea, there are many problems with it:

1. only one cup size can be achieved2. some of the re-injected fat calcifies, which could be mistaken for breast cancer on a mammogram.3. you may develop oil cysts and tissue scarring4. results can be unpredictable and require many sessions to achieve your desired results.

Currently, there is no research that proves fat transfer is safer than implants (silicone or saline).

However, you should see an experienced board certified plastic surgeon for a physical examination and review of your medical history to make sure that breast augmentation is suitable for you, particularly because of your possible genetic predisposition to autoimmune disease.

F

February 23rd, 2014

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Please find an experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
and member of the Aesthetic Society using the Smart Beauty Guide. These Plastic Surgeons can guide you on all
aspects of facial surgery, breast augmentation and body procedures including
tummy tucks or mommy makeovers!

In breast augmentation I have chosen to spend time reviewing
photographs with patients to fully understand their expectation of size and
shape. Many times this simply raises
more questions. I will make measurements
and use the implant guides to allow the patient to understand exactly the sizes
that are reasonable for their body type and measurements.

Fat grafting is a valuable tool in breast surgery. This technique has gained more popularity
over the past 7 years. There are many
techniques used to harvest the fat, process the fat and then re-inject the fat.
Conventional suction lipectomy is performed with a small diameter cannula,
processed by separating the liquid and fibrous tissue from the fat, and then
placed into syringes for re-injection or through a closed system.

Breast Fat Transfer Pictures

Silicone Implants are safe and predictable

December 31st, 2013

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

First of all both Fat transfer which is limited in the amount that your breast can be enlarged at one time and implants are both safe. See the below links for information on both procedures. Here is some more information about the safety of breast silicone implants: Despite three decades of safety testing and monitoring of silicone breast implants, there is still a public perception that silicone breast implants are more toxic or dangerous than saline implants. The truth is that there has no known toxicity from silicone gel breast implants. In fact, silicone is one of the most common materials used in medical devices and implants. There is no known toxicity from silicone gel breast implants. It has been studied by the FDA for more than three decades to establish its safety. Silicone is the most common material used in medical devices/implants. Examples include shunts that go from the brain to the abdomen (for hydrocephalus) which are left in for a lifetime, artificial finger joints, syringes, IVs, catheters (including ones that go next to the heart), surrounding pacemakers, and even oral anti-gas tablets.

The one possible exception may by the PIP implant made in France (generally not available in the USA). Most of the concerns about the PIP implant were about the use of non-medical silicone and manufacturing problems, and do not relate to implants used in the United States by board-certified plastic surgeons. This is not to say that breast implants, like any implant, can have problems; they may have to be removed and are not meant to last a life time. Common reasons for replacement include: capsular contracture, rupture, infection, change in breast size, and pain—but not for toxicity.To answer the perceived toxicity of Silicone by the general public—this is quite a different matter.Breast implants have been around since the 1960s. About 15 years ago Connie Chung ran an exposé, Face to Face with Connie Chung, claiming silicone implants were responsible for different health problems. This led to lawsuits, a huge windfall for lawyers, and the subsequent ban on silicone implants for first-time breast augmentation patients went into effect. They were always available for breast reconstruction (e.g. after mastectomy) and replacement of existing silicone breasts. Also, please note that saline implants are still covered by a silicone envelope.Soon after, a ban on silicone implant use became worldwide. This lasted for years until more than 100 clinical studies showed that breast implants aren’t related to cancer, lupus, scleroderma, other connective tissue diseases, or the host of other problems they were accused of causing.June 1999, The Institute of Medicine released a 400-page report prepared by an independent committee of 13 scientists. They concluded that although silicone breast implants may be responsible for localized problems such as hardening or scarring of breast tissue, implants do not cause any major diseases such as depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, etc.The Institute of Medicine is part of the National Academy of Sciences, the nation’s most prestigious scientific organization.Eventually, a federal judge dismissed/rejected the lawsuits, declaring them junk science and ended for the most part the barrage of lawsuits. This led to the present reintroduction of silicone implants years ago and their approval by the FDA. Interestingly enough, most of the rest of the world reintroduced them many years prior to the United States.

Breast Implant Safety

January 10th, 2010

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

The studies have been done and all the accusations of breast implants causing autoimmune problems never proved true.

At this point this is the only safe way to enlarge the breasts. Fat grafting is being done but it is a bit risky as we dont know what it will do when it comes to breast cancer screening. Also, fat grafting has its limits as far as size goes and its limits are at the small scale.

Safety of fat transfer to breasts

January 8th, 2010

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

I think that the question that needs answered is whether or not fat transfer is safe. We know the safety of breast implants. What we do not know is how fat transfers will affect future mammography of the breasts. Calcifications from non viable fat may produce a need for breast biopsies or increase the difficulty in reading mammograms.

Breast Implants or Fat Injection

January 7th, 2010

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Multiple studies have conclusively proven the safety of breast implants. This includes proving that they do not cause autoimmune disease. Fat injection, on the other hand, does not have enough data yet to prove whether it is safe. Even if it is eventually proven safe, the technique does not add significant size to the breasts.

Safety of fat transfer vs. Implants for breast enlargement

January 6th, 2010

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Fat transfer for breast augmentation is not yet an accepted method. There is no safety track record for the procedure.

Breast Augmentation with implants has been around for a long time and is safe. There is no link to autoimmune disease, so you should be fine. Also, you should be seen by a plastic surgeon and evaluated. You may also want to consult with an immunologist to see if you have any autoimmune time bombs.

Safety isn't really the issue for breast implants vs. fat transfer

January 6th, 2010

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

It is truly remarkable that people are still talking about autoimmune disease and implants, since any questions about a possible association were dispelled by several large studies in the 1990's. Even the National Instututes of Health have confirmed, in a detailed response to a request from Congress, that medical grade silicone is non-toxic and doesn't cause disease conditions.

Fat grafting, though it has had a controversial history (it was formally banned by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons for 20 years) seems to be on the verge of a comeback. Here is a list of pros and cons:

Implants allow for precise determination of size and dimensions in one operation

Fat grafting may take several sessions and there is an upper limit to how much can be done

Fat grafting might require a period of skin expansion with a BRAVA device, which many find cumbersome and inconvenient

Since fat grafting is not commonly done, few plastic surgeons have much experience with it in breasts

Bottom line is that the decision shouldn't be based on a presumption that silicone implants may cause autoimmune disease.

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as
a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you
have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute
or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.